Tineco’s bold venture into the culinary realm is the Toasty One, a toaster priced at a surprising €400. Touting itself as the epitome of toasting excellence, the Toasty One comes equipped with features not commonly found in conventional toasters, such as a color touch screen and the ability to toggle between manual and automatic modes.
Introduction
Tineco, renowned for its range of vacuum cleaners, made waves with the Toasty One in 2022, a seemingly ordinary toaster that bore an extraordinary price tag of around €400. This figure, when compared to the plethora of economical yet commendable toasters available at 20 times less the cost, might seem exorbitant. However, what sets the Toasty One apart are its distinctive features like the integrated color touch screen and its intelligent mode. Additionally, the toaster promises precise browning customization and the capability to retain user-preferred settings. But does all this justify the steep price of the Toasty One?
User-Friendly Design
Upon unveiling the Tineco Toasty One, initial impressions are largely favorable. The construction appears robust, boasting clean finishes and minimal evidence of plastic components. The toaster predominantly features metal in its structure (in the white components), though the chrome elements are made of plastic. While the build quality is commendable, it’s worth noting that given its premium pricing, the use of more refined materials would have been appreciated.
The incorporation of the control panel, particularly the touchscreen, appears somewhat hastily integrated into the design. A bit more attention could have been given to its seamless integration into the overall aesthetic. Notably, the Toasty One’s weight clocks in at nearly 3 kg (2960 g), a tad heavier than conventional toasters. This added weight is attributed to the embedded technology and the 4-inch screen. The dimensions of the toaster measure 20 cm wide, 32 cm long, and 20 cm high, making it slightly bulkier than other models but still manageable on most countertops.
The two slots, each measuring 14 cm by 3.5 cm, are designed to accommodate slices of sandwich bread or brioche. However, for baguette lovers, slicing is necessary for proper fit. It’s worth mentioning that the Toasty One lacks a support feature for warming pastries, which could be a drawback for certain preferences.
The main switch for the toaster is positioned beneath the touchscreen. Upon activation, users can navigate the touchscreen interface to access the intelligent and manual modes, as well as various settings. The smart mode allows users to precisely adjust browning levels using an on-screen slider, with visual representations of bread slices that darken or lighten correspondingly. The toaster then manages the toasting process, accounting for factors like bread type and its state (fresh or frozen).
Manual mode, on the other hand, offers a choice of four browning levels and a keep-warm function. Users can specify whether the bread is at room temperature or frozen, tailoring the process to their preferences.
Notably, the settings configured for both modes can be applied to both slots or customized individually. Initiating toasting involves pressing the start button, and the slices automatically lower into the toaster. The toaster provides a real-time progress update with a percentage display and a visual representation of darkening bread. Users can save their preferred toasting settings for future use. At the end of the toasting cycle, signaled audibly, the slices rise smoothly, with the faster-toast retaining warmth while the other slice achieves the desired browning.
Performance and Cleaning
Performance evaluation for the Tineco Toasty One reveals consistent results. The toaster adeptly handles various scenarios, such as simultaneously browning frozen bread while reheating fresh toast. While the colors on the screen may not match the toast exactly, they remain relatively close. The exterior of the toast crisps up while maintaining a soft interior, even with extensive browning. However, it’s pertinent to note that conventional toasters can achieve similar outcomes.
Maintenance involves removing the crumb tray using a push-pull mechanism for easy cleaning. While the design facilitates removal, crumbs might accumulate in corners, necessitating periodic cleaning.
Noise and Consumption
Audibly unobtrusive, the Toasty One’s motor produces minimal noise during the insertion and removal of slices. The end-of-cycle chime is brief and relatively quiet.
Comparing energy consumption with a basic toaster that offers power adjustments and defrosting modes, the differences are negligible. The Toasty One’s energy consumption remains in the same range.
Conclusion
The Tineco Toasty One, priced at €400, seeks to redefine the art of toasting. While it does deliver impressive features such as a color touch screen and adaptable modes, it’s essential to weigh these against the cost. Its construction is commendable, though certain design aspects could have been better executed. The toaster’s capability to produce consistent and precise results, with customizable settings, adds to its appeal. While not disrupting the morning peace with its noise level, the Toasty One stands as a contender in the premium toaster market.
In conclusion, the Tineco Toasty One enters the premium toaster market with a unique blend of features and functionality. It showcases innovation, with the color touch screen and adaptable modes setting it apart from traditional toasters. While it excels in its performance, potential buyers must weigh its features against the premium price tag. For those seeking an elevated toasting experience and willing to invest, the Toasty One offers a glimpse into the potential future of kitchen appliances.
STRONG POINTS
- Getting started and fun to use.
- Independent control of the two slots.
- Burnishing precision.
WEAK POINTS
- Weirdly integrated control panel.
- Some plastic parts.
- The toaster top is unprotected.
